title: Use of emergency contraceptive pills among female sex workers in Swaziland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Female sex workers (FSW) often have unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are an important back-up method to prevent unwanted pregnancy among FSW. We examine ECP use among FSW in Swaziland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from a 2011 respondent-driven sampling survey of 325 Swazi FSW, we explored the association between individual characteristics and ever having used ECP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In weighted analyses, 27.5% of FSW had ever used ECP. Most (77.8%) had ever been pregnant, among whom 48.7% had had an unwanted pregnancy and 11.7% had had an abortion. Nearly half (47.5%) had experienced condom failure in the past month. Significant independent correlates of ECP use were younger age, higher education, higher income, having two or more children, and never having been married.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FSW who are older or of lower socioeconomic status may not have adequate access to ECP. By better addressing these women's family planning needs, the dual goals of preventing unwanted pregnancy and preventing vertical transmission of HIV can be achieved.
authors.affiliation: Associate, Population Council, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Eileen A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: Zandile
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mnisi
authors.forename: Sibusiso
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maziya
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baral
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013541:Eswatini; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital
keywords: emergency contraception; genitourinary medicine; human immunodeficiency virus; sex workers